Ivory Coast

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they would support peace-keeping operations in the Ivory Coast under the control of the United Nations; and what is their policy towards the Ivory Coast, in the light of the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the G8 Action Plan agreed in 2002.

Baroness Amos: We remain concerned at the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire and its implications for the wider region. We are working closely with the French and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a peaceful resolution. We urge the Ivorian parties now meeting in Paris to engage seriously in the search for an inclusive political solution.
	Both NEPAD and the G8 Africa Action Plan emphasise the wish of Africa's leaders to address the long-term development needs of the continent. Peace and security are key elements of this. We are supporting the ECOWAS peace-monitoring force, which has already begun to deploy in Cote d'Ivoire. The UK is providing £2 million to assist the Ghanaian contingent. We welcome the political support which the UN Security Council has provided for the peace process. Its continued engagement will be important if this is to succeed.

Queen's Counsel

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 7 January (WA 167), what are perceived to be the benefits and costs to consumers resulting from the current system of appointment of Queen's Counsel.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: Consumers benefit directly from the internationally recognised quality mark represented by Queen's Counsel status. It can guide uninformed consumers when choosing an advocate and help more experienced consumers switch to new advocates, thus facilitating competition. There are no costs to consumers resulting from the current system of appointment of Queen's Counsel because, as I stated in the House on 12 December 2002, the fee paid by applicants for appointment as Queen's Counsel represents full cost recovery.

Queen's Counsel

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 7 January (WA 167), which Minister of the Crown is at present directly and personally answerable to Parliament for the appointment of Queen's Counsel in Northern Ireland.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: I am. In addition, I make the recommendations to Her Majesty the Queen about which advocates in Northern Ireland she should appoint as Queen's Counsel. These recommendations are made after detailed discussions with the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, who has himself consulted all sectors of the legal profession in that jurisdiction.

Election Candidates: Copies of Electoral Register

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether intending candidates in an election are each entitled to a copy of the relevant electoral register before submitting their nomination papers in order that they may seek nominations from bona fide electors and fill in a nomination paper correctly.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Yes. Candidates at parliamentary elections are entitled to receive a copy of the relevant electoral register for this and other electoral purposes. The term "candidate" is defined in Section 118A of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which states that a person becomes a candidate on the date of dissolution or on the occurrence of a vacancy if on or before that date he is declared by himself or by others to be a candidate at the election.

Election to Public Office: Qualifying Age

Lord Norton of Louth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to reduce the qualifying age for election to public office from 21 to 18 years.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have no plans to do so at this time. I understand that the Electoral Commission has indicated that it intends to review the minimum age for election to public office alongside its review of the minimum voting age. The Government will consider any recommendations produced by that review.

Electoral Register: Right to Opt Out

Lord Norton of Louth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) What publicity was given to the right of electors to opt out of the electoral register made available to commercial purchases and (b) how many electors have exercised that right.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: (a) The prescribed electoral registration form was amended to provide information about the new arrangements for the registration of electors from the 2002 canvass onwards and about the opt out box for persons who do not wish to be included in the edited version of the register. In addition, the Electoral Commission prepared an explanatory leaflet for electors, free of charge and available in several languages, about these changes, including the new edited register and the right for electors to choose not to be on it.
	(b) Precise information on the number of electors who choose to opt out from the edited register in the 2002 canvass is not available. However, in a sample survey of registration forms returned to Electoral Registration Officers in England, an average of 25 per cent of electors exercised their right to opt out.

Magistrates' Courts

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have with regard to the pilot scheme which extended court sitting hours in the magistrates' courts.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Further to my Answers on Monday last in this House, I am now able to announce that my honourable friend Yvette Cooper has made a statement today in another place with regard the outcome of the pilots. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Capita Contracts

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list all contracts that have been awarded to the Capita Group by each government department.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested for all government departments is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	However, the following table shows Capita contracts with the Chancellor's departments.
	
		
			 Department Number Description 
			 HMT 1 Recruitment of staff 
			 IR 2 Two management consultancy frameworks let in 2002 
			 HMCE 39 Listed below:  1 Maximum return on investment training  2 Membership subscription  3 Promoting flexible working practices  4 Managing change training  5 e-learning training  6 Leadership training  7 GORS selection interview training  8 Training administration introduction  9 NPL Training 10 IT tests 11 Talent spotting 12 Professional skills for SEC 13 Business writing 14 Taking responsibility training 15 Civil Service reform training 16 AA/AO assessment tests 17 Training evaluation 18 Legal trainees 19 Fast stream recruitment 20 Advanced assertiveness for managers training 21 Complaints training 22 Henry V and inspirational leadership 23 Positive image training 24 Assistant print buyer 25 Access to personal information training 26 Time management training 27 Data protection training 28 Belfast building work 29 Diagnostic internal communications manager 30 Feedback 31 RAS Helpline 32 Thinking on your feet 33 GLS lawyers recruitment 34 Human resources manager 35 Communication training 36 Internal communications manager 37 Effective middle management 38 Human resources 39 Customer contact centre advisor 
			 OGC 1 Capita Property Consultancy is appointed to provide property related advice and services under the terms of a framework agreement.

Treasury Employees: London Weighting Allowance

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What London weighting allowances are paid to employees of HM Treasury.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: A £2,000 per annum London allowance is paid to senior civil servants pay band 1 (formerly range F). When responsibility for pay was delegated to departments in 1996, HM Treasury amalgamated London allowances/weighting into annual salary (pay bands A–E).

CIA: Sunday Express Report

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the report in the Sunday Express of 22 December 2002 that agents of the United States Central Intelligence Agency are operating in the United Kingdom with orders to "track, hunt and eliminate" Al'Qaeda suspects and with written authority from the United States President to "shoot to kill" is true; and, if so, whether this is taking place with the approval or agreement of the British Government.

Lord Filkin: No. Any foreign nationals in the United Kingdom are subject to the criminal law and are liable to be prosecuted if they commit acts of murder.

Heavy Equipment Transporter

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the overall height limit in the staff requirement for the new heavy equipment transporter; and whether the Oshkosh vehicle meets it without the driver having to make any adjustments en route.

Lord Bach: The staff requirement states that, in the normal travelling position, the combined height of the transporter and a main battle tank must not exceed 4.2 metres. The heavy equipment transporter vehicle meets this requirement without the driver needing to make any adjustments en route.

Thimerosal

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether each child will by its 16th week of life have received, as part of the standard diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTwP) immunisation programme, 150 micrograms of thimerosal which, in turn, contain 75 micrograms of mercury; and, if not, how much each child will receive.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The recommended vaccine for routine immunisation of children against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis remains diphtheria, tetanus and wholecell pertussis (DTwP) vaccine. A course of primary immunisation with DTwP vaccine consists of three doses starting at two months, with an interval of one month between each dose. Each dose of the standard DTwP vaccine contains 50 micrograms of thimerosal (containing 25 micrograms of ethylmercury). Therefore, by 16 weeks the total thimerosal exposure would be no more than 150 micrograms (75 micrograms ethylmercury).

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: North West London

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many prescribing centres there are for multiple sclerosis modifying drugs in the North West London Strategic Health Authority; and what plans there are to expand the number of such centres.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The designation of centres is a matter for local agreement. The eight primary care trusts (PCTs) in North West London have been funding beta-interferon and glatiramer for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis for many years.
	The two main neurology centres to which patients are referred are at Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust (Charing Cross) and the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, Queens Square (Part of University College London Hospital NHS Trust). Due to historical referral patterns and the proximity of many trusts in central London, patients are also being treated by Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Royal Free Hospital, North West London Hospitals Trust and Guys & St Thomas' Hospital.
	The North West London Strategic Health Authority is working with PCTs and trusts to ensure that all centres are registered to supply recommended treatments.

GPs: Elderly and Disabled Patients

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many old or disabled people have been deregistered by general practitioners in each of the last three years.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health collects information on the number of patients removed from the lists of general practitioners or personal medical services pilot providers and on whether there has been an act or threat of violence but does not collect information on the characteristics of the patients concerned. There is therefore no information on the numbers of such people who are elderly or disabled.

GPs: Elderly and Disabled Patients

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is any right of appeal for old or disabled people who are deregistered against their will by a general practitioner.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There is no right of appeal for any patient in such circumstances. This is because the relationship between the general practitioner and patient is mutual and usually cannot be sustained if either party loses confidence in the other.

NHS Trusts: Retained Deficits

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19 December 2002 (WA 157), whether they will break down the retained deficit of each of the National Health Service trusts listed in the Answer into the retained deficit as at 31 March 2001 and the retained deficit for the year ended 31 March 2002.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: This information requested is given in the following table.
	
		
		
			 NHS Trusts with a Retained Deficit in 2001–02 2001–02 Retained Deficit £000s 2000–01 Retained Deficit £000s 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust (11,487) 
			 United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust (7,659) (1,150) 
			 North Bristol NHS Trust (6,232)  
			 Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (4,225)  
			 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (4,153)  
			 Bedford Hospitals NHS Trust (3,149) 
			 Mid Sussex NHS Trust (2,683) (807) 
			 Sussex Weald and Downs NHS Trust (2,316) (1,271) 
			 Avon and Wiltshire MHP NHS Trust (2,298)  
			 Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (1,798) (704) 
			 Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust (1,774)  
			 Royal West Sussex NHS Trust (1,722)  
			 N Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (1,502)  
			 Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust (1,409) (4,846 ) 
			 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust (1,392)  
			 Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust (1,221) (360) 
			 East Berkshire Community Health Trust (1,216)  
			 Portsmouth Health Care NHS Trust (1,154)  
			 Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust (1,149)  
			 Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust (992)  
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust (936)  
			 Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust (920)  
			 Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (880)  
			 South Warwickshire Combined NHS Trust (826)  
			 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust (755)  
			 North Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust (625) (35) 
			 Worthing Priority Care Services Trust (591) 
			 The Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust (545)  
			 Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust (494)  
			 Weston Area Health NHS Trust (450) (35) 
			 Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust (431)  
			 Hounslow and Spelthorne Community and 
			 Mental Health Trust (382)  
			 Southampton Community Health Service Trust (344)  
			 Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust (330)  
			 Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust (280)  
			 Stoke Mandeville Hospital NHS Trust (253)  
			 Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust (220)  
			 Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (193) (4,573) 
			 Riverside Community Healthcare NHS Trust (110)  
			 Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust (107)  
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust (50)  
			 Royal Berkshire Ambulance Service Trust (29)  
			 Gloucestershire Ambulance Services NHST (14)  
			 West Hampshire NHS Trust (12)  
			 Nuffield Orthopaedic NHS Trust (7) (3,459) 
			 New Possibilities NHS Trust (4)  
			 Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust (4)  
			 Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust (2)  
			 North West Anglia Health Care NHS Trust (2)  
			 Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull Trust (1)  
			 Total Deficit (69,328) (17,330) 
		
	
	Source:
	NHS Trust Summarisation Schedules 2001–02 and 2000–01.

NHS Trusts: Retained Deficits

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19 December 2002 (WA 157), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the audited accounts for the year 2001–02 of each of the National Health Service trusts listed in the Answer.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Copies of individual National Health Service trust annual accounts are published locally and can be obtained from the NHS bodies directly. It is not therefore intended to place copies in the Library.

NHS Trusts: Retained Deficits

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19 December 2002 (WA 157), whether they will provide all the information they have about the retained deficit expected or forecast to arise during 2002–03 of each of the National Health Service trusts listed in the answer.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The audited information in respect of the 2002–03 financial performance of all National Health Service trusts will be published in their individual annual accounts. The audited information will be available centrally in autumn 2003.

NHS Trusts: Retained Deficits

Baroness Noakes: asked her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will (a) name the nine National Health Service trusts which had been granted an extension to their recovery periods as shown on table 6 of Chapter 4 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on the National Health Service Summarised Accounts 2000–01 (HC 766); and (b) state for each of those National Health Service trusts the recovery period which has been granted.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information is given in the following table.
	
		
			 (a) NHS Trusts Granted an Extension to their Recovery Periods (b) Recovery Period Extended to 
			 Warwickshire Ambulance Service Trust 31 March 2002 
			 East Somerset NHS Trust 31 March 2002 
			 Kings College NHS Trust 31 March 2002 
			 Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust 31 March 2002 
			 Chelsea & Westminster Healthcare Trust 31 March 2002 
			 Pinderfields & Pontefract Hospital NHS 
			 Trust 31 March 2002 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 31 March 2002 
			 University College London Hospital 
			 NHS Trust 31 March 2002 
			 Wakefield & Pontefract Community 
			 Health Trust 31 March 2003

Specialist Schools

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a specialist school has ever had its status revoked; and, if so, for what reason.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Since the specialist schools programme began some 33 schools have lost their specialist status.
	Applicant schools seeking redesignation in their specialism are assessed against published criteria. Those applicants which do not meet the criteria in respect of the progress expected of specialist schools against the designation criteria and/or prepare new plans that do not meet the required standard are unsuccessful in their applications and are not redesignated.

Specialist Schools

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they plan to improve teaching standards in specialist schools, which are reported to be similar to the national profile, despite the extra funding such schools receive.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Ofsted's 2001 report on specialist schools said that the overall profile of teaching was broadly in line with the national picture. This was based on visits to 46 specialist schools. However, the latest Ofsted evidence submitted to the Education and Skills Select Committee looked at the evidence of all secondary schools inspected during school year 2001–02. For the 74 specialist schools inspected, the proportion of teaching judged to be very good or better was 26 per cent compared with 8 per cent for non-specialist schools. The proportion of teaching judged to be good or better was 81 per cent in specialist schools compared with 74 per cent of non-specialist schools.
	The latest Ofsted figures suggest that significant progress is being made in specialist schools. This gives confidence that the key disciplines of the specialist schools programme (audit, objectives, target-setting and monitoring) will continue to help drive up standards, and the department will continue to monitor their progress.

Specialist Schools

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether all sports specialist schools are required to own adequate playing fields and equipment.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Specialist sports colleges are not required to own their own playing fields and equipment. However, they must have access to such facilities and equipment. In order to be designated as a specialist sports college, a school will need, through its application, to convince our independent assessors that it has use of the sports facilities necessary, including recreational areas, to support and deliver its sports college school and community development plans.

Teachers: Guaranteed PPA Time

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the cost of giving all teachers one day per fortnight release from teaching.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government have proposed that teachers should have guaranteed time for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) equivalent to at least 10 per cent of their timetabled teaching time. Schools will manage this contractual change, which takes effect from September 2005, in a variety of ways. These are likely to include the transfer of managerial and administrative and non-teaching contact tasks to support staff, releasing teachers for PPA; protecting existing non-contact time from cover through the use of ICT learn centres and cover supervisors; and adjusting timetables and redeploying existing staff. Guidance will be made available to schools on ways of releasing time for guaranteed PPA. The cost of creating guaranteed PPA time will depend on how each school provides it. But it will be well within the estimated total cost of workforce reform in 2005–06 of £1 billion.

Sheep Movement Regulations

The Duke of Montrose: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether all local authorities have been able to comply with the regulations regarding the time by which the submission of data on sheep movements is required by the central animal movement licensing system database; and if not, what percentage of the times of submission are found to be in arrears.

Lord Whitty: Keepers of sheep are required to report movements of sheep to the local authority within three days of the movement taking place. Local authorities make every effort to ensure that livestock movements are entered onto the animal movement licensing system (AMLS) with the minimum delay. The table below gives a breakdown of the time taken to enter sheep movements in England and Wales onto AMLS.
	
		Moves reported between 6 September and 3–30 November
		
			 within number percentage of total 
			 3 days 47,841 28.7 
			 4–5 days 29,478 17.7 
			 6–10 days 44,202 26.5 
			 11–15 days 19,419 11.7 
			 16+ days 25,765 15.5 
			 Total 166,700 
		
	
	
		Moves reported between 1 December and 8 January
		
			 within number percentage of total 
			 3 days 12,246 41.9 
			 4–5 days 4,814 16.5 
			 6–10 days 7,381 25.3 
			 11–15 days 3,243 11.1 
			 16+ days 1,546 5.3 
			 Total 29,230 
			  
		
	
	It should be noted that the database does not record the date that the notification was received by the local authority. It is not therefore possible at present to identify what proportion of the late entries can be attributed to late submission of the movement document by the recipient of the livestock. This is being addressed.

Upland and Lowland Britain

Lord Henley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has a definition of upland or lowland Britain.

Lord Whitty: There is no statutory definition of upland or lowland Britain. However, there are statutory maps of less favoured areas for the United Kingdom prepared under Council Directive 75/268/EEC. These maps, which are predominantly upland, also include other farming areas which suffer disadvantage and are used for the purpose of targeting certain CAP support payments.

Americans visiting the UK

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many American visitors arrived in the United Kingdom during the six months ending 31 December 2002; and how many arrived during the six months ending 31 December 2001.

Baroness Blackstone: The number of visits to the United Kingdom by residents of North America during the six months ending 31 December 2001 and the six months ending 31 December 2002 is shown in the following table.
	
		Visits to the UK by residents of North America (Canada and USA1)
		
			  2001 20022 
			 July 546,000 600,000 
			 August 483,000 520,000 
			 September 309,000 340,000 
			 October 257,000 320,000 
			 November 231,000 270,000 
			 December 214,000 n/a(3) 
		
	
	Source: International Passenger Survey, Office for National Statistics.
	(1) USA-only figures will be released for third quarter of 2002
	on 5 February 2003, for fourth quarter of 2002 on 8 April 2003.
	(2) Figures are provisional.
	(3) The number of visits in December will be released on
	5 February 2003.

Regional Tourist Boards and Regional Development Agencies

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What roles (a) regional tourist boards and (b) regional development agencies play in tourism in their areas.

Baroness Blackstone: From 1 April 2003, the regional development agencies (RDAs) will play a stronger role in the strategic leadership of tourism and will receive at least £3.6 million from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for each of the next three years. They will consider tourism in the context of their corporate plans, regional economic strategies and the targets by which they are monitored. We see the regional tourist boards (RTBs) as their natural delivery partners. RDAs will distribute DCMS tourism funds to the RTBs for activities in line with regional sustainable tourism strategies and the national policy framework. For a transitional period of three years, they will thus fund tourism strategy delivery with at least the sums currently received via the English Tourism Council. In line with regional priorities, some RDAs have already confirmed additional funding for tourism.

Northern Ireland Civil Service: Security Clearance

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12 December (WA 48) about security vetting, how many posts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service are classified as sensitive posts or higher; how many of those post holders possess valid security clearance; whether any civil servants whose security clearances have expired were still in post on 12 December 2002; and, if so, why.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced on 12 December 2002 a review of arrangements for security vetting in Northern Ireland. This will include consideration of the need to designate particular posts as sensitive and the criteria that should be applied. At present all administrative posts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) are subject to a counter-terrorist check which is carried out on recruitment to the NICS. Under current national security vetting policy only individuals whose duties require long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to Secret or Top Secret information or assets are regarded as requiring a security check or developed vetting. Very few posts within the NICS would involve such access. The extent and the appropriate levels and frequency of security vetting both at entry and beyond in the NICS will be examined afresh as part of the current review.

Fermanagh Area: Policing

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the police service of the Republic of Ireland regularly patrols the two miles in Fermanagh between the Border and Teemore Cross; and what other parts of the United Kingdom are patrolled by the same police service.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Police Service of Northern Ireland has no records of any patrols by the Garda Siochana in the Fermanagh area. The Garda Siochana has no authority to patrol any part of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many meetings there have been of the Joint Committee of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Irish Human Rights Commission; on what dates; and what was discussed.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library. Click here to view the letter.

House of Lords and House of Commons: Sitting Days

Lord Blaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many days the House of Lords sat during the Sessions 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02; and on how many days the House of Commons sat during the same Sessions.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The number of sitting days of both Houses for the past three Sessions are given in the following table.
	
		
			 Session House of Lords1 House of Commons 
			 1999–2000 177 170 
			 2000–01 76 83 
			 2001–02(5) 202 201 
		
	
	(4) The House of Lords figures exclude days when the House sat for judicial business only.
	(5) These figures include swearing in days in both Houses.